LAMB
More flat schedules, with now northern export prices at similar values to 3 months ago, and those operators than purchased expensive store lambs in the autumn will have needed a well priced contract and good growth rates to trade profitably.
Local trade values are matching contract prices as saleyard store and prime lambs reach yearly highs.
SI Mutton schedules have fallen to a yearly low as processors gear up for the bobby calf season with scanned dry sheep finishing and cull wet drys yet to appear.
Beef and Lamb NZ report sheep numbers have now dropped below 30 million as the sector fights for land use and the tallies are the lowest for 80 years.
Scanning results have been reported as higher than norm in the north so extra lambs will be welcome in a year where breeding numbers are down. Early lambs are now being seen in many areas of Canterbury Marlborough and east coast areas of the North Island.
The annual Fielding hogget fair saw good prices but purchasers paid little premiums for breeding animals over meat types.
Finishing and arable properties hit record price levels in the latest real estate figures that saw values lift 10-15% during the year.
Rural lending rates are also on the rise which should temper land price increases but total farm costs are holding, with only a 1% increase last year and even some costs going down.
WOOL
North Island auction prices held steady in an offering dominated by early shorn crossbred wools and second shear.
Exporters are still committed to shipment schedules which kept the market strong, passings were low and there was only a slight easing in wool indicator prices.
BEEF
Prime export schedules lifted to yearly highs in the north, and local trade beef reached highs for both islands as this sector enters buoyant times.
Many stores sold at saleyards are fetching values 250c/kg lwt plus, as positive buyer expectation follows the finishing prices.
Commentators suggest the big Australian export volumes are coming to an end which will put more pressure on the US market desperately short of supply.
DEER
More early spring schedule lifts for both islands as the spring chilled European trade begins it’s traditional harvest.
Many bigger finishers will have secured contracts for this years crop which should ensure a much more profitable year than last.
Early buds will be being cast as velvet begins its annual growth into a market predicted to be firm on last season.
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